Thursday, March 22, 2007

Dearest God,

I did not know when I donned my paint apparel that I would step inside people's hearts. I had volunteered to help members and friends who are currently dealing with a terminal illness. Instead of washing windows I was asked to paint an upstairs bedroom.

As I offered what I call my "precision" painting, we talked. The homeowner and friend who has the illness and two other volunteers. Three different conversations. One volunteer hails from Africa. I listened as he filled me in on another dear friend and member from the same nation. He expressed his concerns for this family. And although he has not held a job for nearly two years due to a dying liver and subsequent transplant, he is not worried. God will provide, he says.

Another volunteer talked about life issues, health, family, job. In the midst he shared an upcoming medical test. A bit scary. Clearly, he is on his own search for God, One who will tell him the right way of living.

And the family member who has the deadly disease, he is very open. Honest. He said he has decided to use his sense of humor as a weapon against the disease. He suffers from memory loss, a debilitating part of the illness. A tall, lanky man, he is wise, knowledgeable, and strong, even as he stands, constantly moving to keep his body from growing numb.

Yesterday God was in the bedroom that I was painting green. He visited in many forms. He was black and he was white. He was male and he was female. He was tall and he was shorter. God smiled, reflecting a love and devotion.

Rarely do I know the moment when another person will allow me to peek inside their heart. I am not always aware until suddenly I find myself standing in an intimate place inside a human soul. It is a sacred, holy place, soul space is. It is quiet, vulnerable, beautiful no matter what is being said. And it has to be treated as sacred. I have to take off my shoes because I know when I am on holy ground. And soul space is holy ground.

Conversations in this space are like no other. It is a sacred plain, close to a great reservoir of living water. When people wander in this space, they are not in themselves. They are spiritual beings, living in the realm of God. We wander together, talking, sharing, living in the light. Here we travel in a world made safe by the only One who can make it that way. We share a part of ourself that is hidden most of the time. And when we leave, we carry a new form of peace, just simply because we pilgrimed together.

I didn't know God would appear in this volunteer opportunity, although, I shouldn't have been surprised. God is forever becoming visible when people come together to help one another. I'm going back this morning to finish my "job." Who knows who I will meet.

Thank you
for the holy moments
of yesterday.
Thank you
for the constant reminders
of your holy presence.
Thank you
for people
willing to be open, honest, vulnerable.
For it is in
such sacred, hallowed moments
that you come into view.
Deep gratitude.

Love always, Andrea